Community Safety Month logo has been used with the permission of the VSCN

October is Community Safety Month

Community Safety Month is held every October and reminds us that we all have a role to play in making our communities safer.

What is Community Safety Month all about?
Community Safety Month aims to engage the community and encourage participation to improve safety in the community.  Throughout October, community groups and safety promotion stakeholders will be encouraged to host and participate in a wide range of Community Safety Month events.  Participation in Community Safety Month provides opportunities to raise awareness of community safety concerns and preventative measures.

Community safety is defined to include all areas of injury prevention (unintentional and intentional), crime prevention, emergency management and safety promotion.

Everyone should get involved.
Safety is considered a basic human right and the responsibility of all (WHO, 1989. Manifesto for Safe Communities, Safety- A Universal Concern and Responsibility for All).

Safety affects all parts of our lives. We can make our homes, workplaces, streets, neighbourhoods and communities safer by participating in Community Safety Month activities.

Community Safety Month is about getting everyone involved in improving safety in the community. Every single person has a responsibility to keep the community safe, and everybody has a role to play in preventing injury, reducing crime and promoting safe behaviour practices.  Therefore, everyone should get involved in Community Safety Month.

Events and safety activities may be organised by local community groups, schools, councils, businesses, government agencies and departments to encourage all people to take steps towards enhancing their safety and the safety of their community.  Events are aimed to raise awareness, promote safe practices and encourage safe behaviour choices.

Where can you start?
A Community Action Kit consisting of a range of online tools to assist local governments, community groups, organisations and individuals who wish to participate in Community Safety Month.  Tools will help groups to plan and promote events, seek support, invite participation, engage with media and evaluate their event.

Would you like to Support Community Safety Month?
More information regarding opportunities to partner with ICCWA and become a supporter of Community Safety Month for 2009 can be read in the Community Safety Month Partnership Opportunities package.

What community safety issues will be targeted?

 road safety
 farm safety
 water safety
 work safety
 school safety
 safety on public transport
 safety in other public places
 prevention of drug and alcohol related harm
 suicide prevention
 violence prevention (domestic, family and interpersonal violence)
 falls prevention
 fire and burns prevention
 sport and recreational safety
 crime prevention
 emergency management
 injury surveillance.

Enthusiastic to know more?
For more news about Community Safety Month, keep your eyes on the Community Safety Month website.  Any enquiries can be directed to ICCWA on (08) 9420 7212 or via email to Sarah on smckerracher@iccwa.org.au.

To explore what is happening during Community Safety Month in Victoria; visit www.communitysafetymonth.com.au